The Distance Beacons (36 page)

The wire ripped his pants, cut into his hands. He didn't feel it. A Doberman was running toward him. He shot it, then noticed it was on a leash. A woman stared at him from her kitchen window.

He ran.

Had to find his car. The parking lot couldn't be far.
Montpelier by nightfall.
Sirens everywhere.

Cindy, will you tell me my fortune?

His knee was on fire. Couldn't run much farther.

Just around the corner. I'm sure it's—

The first shot hit him in the shoulder as he reached the corner. The car wasn't there. All he saw was flashing blue and red. He stopped and breathed the pure cold air.

The car wasn't there.

He wanted to apologize to that woman for killing her Doberman. Reflex. Unavoidable.

The second shot hit him in the left buttock.

And a lifetime to enjoy the memory.

The third and fourth shots hit him in the spinal column and the right kneecap, respectively, and he fell to the ground. The fifth shot smashed through the rib cage and lodged in his heart.

The thing of it was, he didn't know if he had succeeded. And now he would never know.

Replica

by

Richard Bowker

~

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Replica

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Richard Bowker is the author of
Replica
,
Senator
, and other novels. He lives near Boston with his wife and two sons.

You can contact Richard through his website:
www.richardbowker.com